Ozarks At Large
Simultaneous tax cuts and hikes, charter schools and the latest on Medicaid expansion from the state legislature; jockeys prepare for this weekend's Rebel Stakes at Oaklawn; more sidewalks in Fayetteville and the population continues to grow in Northwest Arkansas; all in today's Segment A.
The Arkansas General Assembly moves forward with a controversial voter ID bill, education and education supporters rally against a proposal that would shift money from the state's general fund into highway construction, and Arkansas' U.S. Senate contingent speaks out about efforts to pass a federal budget.


State lawmakers continue to weigh the issue of Medicaid expansion two weeks after receiving word from Washington that federal Medicaid expansion funds could be used for a privatized expansion of the system. A pair of lawmakers also weigh in on how recent anti-abortion legislation has affected Arkansas' reputation in the rest of the country. And a controlled burn is set for tomorrow in one local city.
Late last week, the Northwest Arkansas Council released the results of a study on the area's Business Retention and Expansion Efforts. The study was compiled from interviews by area chambers of commerce with 459 area companies. We speak with Mike Harvey, chief operating officer of the council about the survey and what the results mean for the area moving forward.
Another area city plans to speak out against a bill in the Arkansas Legislature that could mean a rollback of city development regulations. Governor Mike Beebe touts the state's efforts to make sure fewer children in Arkansas go hungry, and Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art again gets national recognition, not for its paintings but for the construction of the museum itsself.
Latest Edition of Ozarks at Large
Tuesday, March 25, 2014
Ahead on Ozarks, distance education will have a strong presence in a program on the University of Arkansas campus next fall, plus Rogers Little Theatre brings a comedy classic to the stage. We go behind the scenes with The Man Who Came To Dinner.
To Fort Smith this weekend. We get a look into the life of a monster truck driver and learn how they ready those cars for a show.
"Master Pretender" by First Aid Kit
Tyson Foods yesterday announced that Hillshire Brands had accepted its $8.5 billion acquisition bid over a smaller acquisition by Pinnacle Foods. Senator John Boozman returns to Washington, D.C. more than a month after undergoing emergency heart surgery, and a new effort aiming at legalizing cannabis gets underway in Arkansas.
"Noble Square" by Billie the Vision and the Dancers
Arkansas has one of the highest rates of people living with HIV but don’t know it. To receive an HIV test, you can go to your county health department. To reach the Washington County HIV clinic call 479-973-4613. Testing and support are available at an ARCare HIV Office, for information or to find an office near you, click here or call 501-388-4613. For information on support and social groups through HIV Arkansas, visit hivarkansas.org
Saturday's Wellfest lets you run, ride, even hula hoop.
Here is a direct link to all things Wellfest, including race courses.
Becca Martin Brown from Northwest Arkansas Newspapers offers a brief preview of the Eureka Springs Blues Weekend.
"Door to Door" by John Zorn